Honda is pushing back on claims Aston Martin’s severe vibration issues are solely a power unit problem. The AMR26 has struggled to complete full race distances this season, with drivers like Fernando Alonso retiring due to the shaking. Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe clarifies their power units show acceptable vibration levels on the dyno. The real trouble starts when the engine is integrated into the chassis, leading to a significant increase in vibration.
Watanabe asserts that power unit modifications alone won't be enough, emphasizing close collaboration with Aston Martin on both engine and chassis solutions. While Honda brought energy management improvements to Suzuka for performance gains, the vibration remains a critical concern, mainly damaging the battery area. Lance Stroll bluntly added that even beyond reliability and vibrations, the car lacks outright pace, running three seconds off the leaders. Aston Martin needs comprehensive fixes, not just a band-aid.
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